Cats are curious creatures. They love to sneak into cupboards, climb on counters and seek out places we never would think could result in toxin exposure. Unfortunately, I have seen far too many unexpected feline toxicities lately, prompting me to warn the "curious cat" owners to beware.

Despite the fact that cats can be somewhat choosey about what they elect to get into, we are still seeing a rise in the number of cats that succumb to poisoning.

Some of the more common toxicities we are seeing include:

Plant toxicity, lily exposure

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There are many kinds of lilies, including the Easter lily, tiger lily and Asiatic lily.

Curious cats love to chew on these plants, and many owners are not aware that any portion of a lily can result in kidney failure. The quicker the pet is taken to the veterinarian, the better chance of treatment as after three days have passed, irreversible kidney failure sets in.

If you suspect lily toxicity, then get your cat to the vet as soon as possible.

Ethylene Glycol Toxicity

Antifreeze toxicity is associated with pets licking antifreeze off the ground from a leaking automobile, or from the container itself. Because antifreeze has such a sweet taste, an unknowing cat can lick just less than a teaspoon and result in fatal kidney failure.

Signs of antifreeze toxicity include excess drooling, vomiting, stumbling and a drunk behavior. Should you suspect toxicity, time is of the essence.

Because cats have differences in liver function, they are able to process far less amounts of Tylenol or Acetaminophen which results not only in liver damage but red blood cell damage.

A cat should never be given Tylenol for any medical reasons.

Aspirin at lower doses can be safe, for example, the safe dose is 10mg/kg every 48 hours. The toxic dose is 80-120 mg/kg for 10-12 days.

If you suspect your cat is in pain, then veterinary advice may be better than self-treatment.

In conclusion, there are many toxins our furry felines can be exposed to, and it's best to be aware of the common toxicities and try to not have those toxins in a place where your cat is likely to get into them. If you suspect toxicity, then call your veterinarian as soon as possible.

You can also consult the Animal Poison Control at 1-888-426-4435.

Sheila Fitzpatrick, DVM, owner of Mountain Mobile Vet and The Animal Hospital Center, submitted this column. You can reach her at 970-328-7085.